The government has the responsibility to guarantee every Filipino’s right to clean water and sanitation amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Thursday, March 25.

The state’s obligation to provide water and sanitation was underscored by the CHR after it received reports that thousands of households in the country have experienced water service disconnection due to people’s inability to pay their bills on time.

CHR Spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that it is the basic right of every human being to have access to clean water and sanitation, and it is more crucial than ever since the whole world is dealing with a deadly virus.

She stressed: "Water, a universally-recognized human right, is essential for most aspects of everyday life and crucial for public health. If water services were disrupted, it could mean spikes in coronavirus outbreaks, particularly in high-density communities where social distancing is not possible."

At the same time, De Guia said that curtailing people’s access to water is a human rights violation. Without water, people are denied protection from the disease and they are exposed to more serious health complications, she said.

She lamented that COVID-19 has created a major economic fallout as countless Filipinos lost their jobs. The CHR is urging the government to help ease the financial hardships of Filipinos by making sure that they don't lose access to clean water, she also said.

"Previous issuances regarding deferred payment of bills and non-suspension of water supply should still be put in place, especially that the current COVID-19 situation in the country has not improved yet after a year of being into community quarantine," she suggested.

"Similarly, the government must also financially support water utilities to guarantee the sustainability of services, while prioritizing the welfare of people over profit," she added.